Method and device for cataloging and searching for information

ABSTRACT

A method and a device which provide a concise form for cataloging, finding and filtering stored data, being based also on the notation of emotional traits expressed by the data contained in an archive on which the user works. The emotional traits are displayed analogically and topologically by means of a visualization device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and a device for catalogingand searching for information in a generic data archive, with particularreference s to archives containing photographic data, catalogs, videosand images in general.

The data banks of companies operating in the visual sector, including inparticular the data banks of photo agencies, are currently constitutedby such a vast amount of information as to be almost entirelyunmanageable with conventional means. For the success of such a company,therefore, it is crucially important not only to offer quality imagesbut also to be able to give assurance to its customers and users ingeneral that they can have rapid and targeted access to its archives. Itis in fact known that with the explosive growth of data banks in termsof numbers and size, in recent years a problem has become evident andcritical, i.e., the severe difficulty in effectively interpreting therequests of the customer and in directing him toward the information inwhich he is really interested.

Recently it has been possible to improve and speed up the management andsearching of information archives, allowing rapid querying of electronicdata banks by means of appropriate interfacing devices. In particular,by way of the diffusion and increase in performance and capacity ofelectronic computers it has been possible to provide users or customerswith electronic archives on magnetic or optical recording media, such asCD-ROMs, and allow the querying of remote archives which can be accessedvia computer networks such as for example the Internet. Although archiveand cataloging media have improved, searches are still conducted byentering in masks a specific series of data, such as the fieldconsidered, the illustrated subject and the author; such data are unableto effectively express the mental idea of the user. The current state ofthe art is constituted by interfaces which allow, once a certaininformation item, for example an image, has been identified, to conducta new targeted search toward other similar images. The results of suchsearches, however, are often scarcely predictable, since they generateeven considerable conceptual differences with respect to the initialidea, indeed due to the lack of a cataloging method which issufficiently close to the mentality of the user and is capable ofcorresponding to his emotional language. Conventional methods anddevices for archiving and cataloging in fact do not allow to qualify animage according to characteristics which can be easily associated withthe user's mental idea; the user is therefore forced to conduct a longand tiring work of visualizing information outside of his actual scopeof interest before being able to obtain any information which at longlast meets his requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above-describedproblems by introducing a cataloging method and device which are basedon emotional identities that the user wishes to be present in theinformation, for example an image, which is the subject of the search,in order to provide a new concise form of cataloging and retrieval ofarchived data which is also based on the notation of the emotionaltraits expressed by the data contained in the archive on which the useris working.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to defineemotional parameters which are capable of summarizing in concrete termsthe abstract idea of the user of a data archive, allowing effectivecataloging of the data and rapid searching for information.

Another object of the present invention is to allow the user to easilyplace emotional identities within the defined parameters and theirinterpolations, arranging the emotional identities on an architecturewhich visualizes in an analogical format the relations between them andfinally converts the linguistically defined terms into numeric values.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparenthereinafter are achieved by a device for cataloging and searching forinformation, comprising a data archive, a set of cataloging parametersand a device for visualizing said parameters, characterized in that eachone of said parameters defines a different emotional identity, in thateach data item of said archive is associated with at least one of saidparameters, and in that said visualization device visualizes saidparameters in an analogical and topological manner.

Advantageously, said emotional identities are constituted by an evennumber of primary parameters and by a number of secondary parameterswhich are generated by interpolation from said primary parameters.

Conveniently, said visualization device is a regular polyhedron whosenumber of vertices can be changed according to the number of primaryparameters and secondary parameters being used.

Advantageously, said polyhedron comprises a plurality of superimposedthematic layers, each layer being identified with a different catalogingtype or class.

Conveniently, each vertex of the visualization polyhedron is associablewith at least one different numeric value to be used as a link to thedata archive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention willbecome better apparent from the following detailed description,illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanyingfigures, wherein:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are perspective views of a preferred embodiment of thevisualization device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the layered structure of thevisualization device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a planisphere view of the visualization device in a firstpreferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the association between the emotionalinformation that can be obtained from the visualization device andconcrete attributes translated in the data archive;

FIG. 5 is a view of a graphical interface which corresponds to animplementation of the preferred embodiment of the visualization device;

FIG. 6 is a planisphere view of the visualization device in a secondpreferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In a preferred embodiment of the visualization device according to theinvention, shown in FIG. 1, primary parameters are selected which aredefined by six “universal traits”, chosen as three pairs of oppositesand arranged on six poles 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, of a primarygeometric shape, in particular a regular polyhedron 100. The choice ofthe universal traits that belong to the preferred embodiment is based onan interlinguistic search conducted on the ethnic meanings of termswhich are common to the widest number of languages of the Latin group,and is constituted by the following three pairs:

-   Passionate 120-Reflective 110;-   Seductive 150-Basic 160;-   Affective 130-Dynamic 140.

Each one of the universal traits constitutes a primary emotionalrepresentation of some of the characteristics that are present in thecataloged information, i.e., the data of an archive 450. Very often,however, the information cannot be associated with a single universaltrait, and likewise the person conducting a search needs a broadermodularity which allows to qualify and target his search activity ontypes of information having characteristics which can be ascribed tonuances of some universal traits. The method and the device according tothe present invention allow to link each universal trait with all theothers, except for its opposite (due to obvious incompatibility). Theuniversal traits and the nuances between one and the other are wellrepresented by a regular polyhedron chosen as a preferred embodiment ofthe visualization device, in which each universal trait is located on adifferent pole, where two opposite universal traits are arranged at theopposite poles. In particular, the preferred embodiment provides aregular polyhedron 100 with sixty-six vertices, each of whichcorresponds to a possible location of the information that is catalogedor sought. Of these sixty-six vertices, six correspond to said universaltraits, while the other sixty are interpolations between two, three ormore universal traits. This type of structure causes the storage and useof such a large number of parameters to occur in an analogical mannerand is thus manageable intuitively and mnemonically.

In particular with reference to FIG. 1, the poles Passionate 120 andReflective 110 are more important than the other poles and are arranged,according to the planetary metaphor, at the North Pole and South Pole,thus characterizing the emotional hemisphere 180 and the rationalhemisphere 181 of the visualization polyhedron 100. The remaining fouruniversal traits are instead arranged equidistantly from each other onthe equator 185. In order to keep the Affective and Seductive traitsalways in the emotional hemisphere 180 and the Dynamic and Basic traitsalways in the rational hemisphere 181, the main axis of thevisualization polyhedron 100 is appropriately inclined, determining anecliptic plane 190 which crosses the equator 185 twice, thus dividingthe solid into two hemispheres 180-181. The rotation of thevisualization polyhedron 100 occurs about the axis of the ecliptic 195.

The nuances between two of the six main poles 110, 120, 130, 140, 150,160 are organized by means of divisions into two identical parts of thespace between one universal trait and the other, traced on the surfaceof the polyhedron 100. For example, the Passionate Basic trait islocated at 45° latitude on the meridian defined by the two polesPassionate 120 and Basic 160.

By moving along the same meridian toward the Passionate pole 120, onereaches the vertex that defines the Passionate-Passionate Basic trait.

The nuances among three of the six poles 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160 ofthe preferred embodiment is performed on the eight quadrants of thepolyhedron 100. On each one of said quadrants there are three vertices,and each one of said vertices defines a position which affects the threetraits that lie on that given quadrant. The dominant trait is the onethat is closest to one of the six poles 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160,while the other two have a smaller weight than the first one and aremutually equal. Owing to the regularity of the polyhedron 100, each oneof the points located within a quadrant is halfway between one of thesix poles 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160 and a trait which is intermediatebetween the other two that lie on that quadrant. Thus, for example, thevertex that identifies the Passionate-Basic Dynamic position lies on theline that connects the Passionate pole 120 and the intermediate pointbetween the Basic pole 160 and the Dynamic pole 140.

The number of poles and the number of vertices of the polyhedron 100 canof course be varied at will if it is necessary to apply a more or lessdetailed cataloging or search, for example in relation to particulartypes of archive 450.

For instance, in a second preferred embodiment of the present invention,twenty secondary parameters are used in addition to the above mentionedsix primary parameters, as shown in Table 1, wherein P=Passionate;B=Basic; S=Seductive; A=Affective; D=Dynamic; R=Reflective.

TABLE 1 PB PD PS PA Proud Audacious Fascinating Enthralling Rough ArdentVoluptuous Sentimental Spartan Impetuous Luxurious Moving P-BD P-DS P-SAP-AB Energetic Provocative Sensual Genuine Vigorous Exciting SatisfyingSpontaneous Sturdy Stimulating Tempting Authentic BD DS SA AB ConcreteBrilliant Loveable Sympathetic Confident Attractive Sensitive DependablePractical Winning Pleasant Comforting R-BD R-DS R-SA R-AB ExplicitCharismatic Classical Well-balanced Participant Magnetic RefinedReassuring Versatile Original Esteemed Measured RB RD RS RA SimpleResolute Suggestive Sweet Sober Persevering Intriguing IntimateEssential Firm Evocative Delicate

With reference now to FIG. 2, the architecture of the visualizationpolyhedron 100 is characterized by a structure with thematic layers 200which are originated by expansion from an imaginary nucleus placed atinfinity.

Each thematic layer 200 constitutes the medium of a thematic set, forexample of images or subjects of the same nature which are distributedon its surface by means of appropriate placements. These placements canbe constituted by various categories of the conceptual, pictorial,commercial type and so forth, each of which constitutes a catalogingclass 451. The choice and construction of the thematic layers 200 canfollow different logic systems for the various fields of application ofthe present invention. A significant operation capable of enriching theinformation that can be retrieved by means of the diagram is the coringof the polyhedron 100 in order to extract from different thematic layers200 images with different pictorial natures but identical emotionalnatures. Coring constitutes one way to verify the consistency of anentire “emotional background” organized through various levels ofin-depth analysis.

FIG. 3 illustrates a different implementation of the visualizationdevice 100, provided by means of a planisphere view 300. Such view canbe used mainly as an overview summarizing the type of data contained ina given archive 450, at one or more thematic layers 200, so as toimmediately visualize particular concentrations of data in specificcataloging classes 440.

The same representation is provided in FIG. 6 with regard to theclassification given in table 1.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the association of the cataloging and/orsearch parameters with the data of the data archive 450. Operation is asfollows:

-   -   a user uses a search tool 400, which comprises a visualization        device, for example the polyhedron 100, in order to select a        point thereon that clearly defines the mental idea that he has        conceived. By way of appropriate association means, the point        selected on the polyhedron 100 is associated with a given        cataloging parameter, converted in the data archive 450 into one        or more corresponding parameters 452, for example a number, or a        pair of numbers in the form of spherical coordinates, or by        using any point-to-point one-to-one correspondence algorithm.        Together with the chosen emotional trait, the user can select a        layer 200 of the visualization polyhedron 100, in order to limit        the search to one or more types of stored information, whose        division into classes is stored in the table 440. Moreover, the        user can still enter additional search information 410 in a        conventional manner, for example by means of masks, which allow        him to confine the search to given data that are present in the        archive 450, for example by entering the name of the        photographer who took a certain slide, the brand of a car, the        nationality of an actor, and so forth. The search information        thus generated is thus encoded and transferred to the search        engine 460 of the data archive 450, which scans the content and        returns the requested information.

In addition to the type of interface described above, another preferredembodiment provides means for associating with each one of the verticesof the visualization polyhedron 100 a certain number of words whichevoke given characteristics; said words can be constituted by adjectivesand by symbolic elements and are generically defined as “image-words”.For example, when working in the layer related to actors, the user mightenter “Marilyn Monroe” as image-word 420, and this would identify avertex of the visualization polyhedron 100 in the Passionate-Seductivearea, or an image word such as “Reassuring”, which might identify avertex in the “Reflective-Affective” area.

Once the parameter 431 that corresponds to the sought image word hasbeen identified, the operation for finding the information is similar towhat has been described above. Finally, the user can enter a pluralityof image words 420 for his search. The search engine 460 analyzes theentered image words in order to identify the parameter 431, 452 thatbest interpolates the entered data 420.

Again with reference to FIG. 4, the above-described operation can beapplied in a similar manner not only to a user for searching for databut also to the operator of the archive for cataloging the datacontained therein.

In particular, the method and the device for cataloging and searchingfor information according to the present invention are well-suited foracting as a filter even on existing archives: a generic archive can infact be easily expanded with the addition of the information required toperform a cataloging according to the invention. For example, withreference to FIG. 4, the archive 450 can be seen as the expansion,obtained by way of the addition of the cataloging fields 451–452, of anoriginal archive 450′ in which only conventional information waspresent.

Finally, FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the visualizationinterface 500, which comprises a perspective view of the visualizationdevice 102, which shows, at each visible vertex, an image 510. The image510 can be either a paradigmatic image, i.e., a symbolic image whichvisually expresses the emotional identity expressed by the correspondingvertex of the visualization device 100, or one of the images containedin the data archive that corresponds to the selected search parameters.The same image, if selected for example by means of a pointing device,is visualized in a larger format in the frame 530. Finally, by way ofthe video means 520 it is possible to define the most appropriateoperations to be performed on the display 102, such as for exampleturning the polyhedron in order to visualize hidden paradigmatic images,bring to the foreground a different layer 200, or visualize the next ofthe various images that belong to a given vertex, and it is alsopossible to add elements to the graphical interface in order to allow toenter search parameters or visualize the result of a search.

Obviously, the description of the above-described preferred embodimentsis given only by way of non-limitative example. The invention thusconceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations whichcan be clearly deduced by the skilled in the field and all of which arewithin the scope of the protection of the inventive concept.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MI2000A000098 fromwhich this application claims priority are incorporated herein byreference.

1. A method for generating a visualization structure in the shape of aphysical object for displaying, cataloging and searching data,comprising the steps of: providing a device having a data archive;providing data in the data archive; defining, by the device, the data asat least one cataloging parameter wherein each of the at least onecataloging parameters comprises at least one emotional identity;associating, by the device, one or more of the at least one catalogingparameters with the data; and controlling, by the device, thevisualization of the data by generating a visualization structure in theshape of a polyhedron comprising the data in a visual, non-textualdisplay that is a graphic representation relative to the at least oneemotional identity of the at least one cataloging parameter associatedwith the data, wherein the data comprises at least one image of anon-textual object; wherein at least one of the cataloging parameterscomprises an even number of primary parameters and a number of secondaryparameters generated by interpolation from said primary parameters,wherein the primary parameters include at least one pair of oppositetraits; and wherein each one of said primary parameters of each one ofsaid pairs of opposite traits is placed on said polyhedron in afundamental position termed pole which is geometrically opposite to saidcorresponding opposite primary trait.
 2. The method according to claim1, wherein said number of primary parameters is equal to
 6. 3. Themethod according to claim 2, wherein said six primary parameters aredefined by three pairs of opposite traits labeled: “Passionate”,“Reflective”; “Seductive”, Basic”; “Affective”, “Dynamic”.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said number of secondary parameters isequal to twenty or sixty.
 5. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe polyhedron has twenty-six or sixty-six vertices.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 5, wherein said polyhedron rotates about a rotationaxis.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said polyhedroncomprises a plurality of superimposed thematic layers, each layer beingidentified with a different cataloging class.
 8. A device for the visualdisplay, cataloging and searching of data, comprising: a device having afinite amount of data in a data storage archive; the data defined bytedevice as at least one cataloging parameter, each cataloging parametercomprising at least one of an emotional identity, and each catalogingparameter associated with the data; and a visualization structureincluded in the device to control the visual representation of the data,the visualization structure in the shape of a polyhedron comprising thedata in an emblematic, non-textual, visual display that is a graphicrepresentation of the data relative to the at least one emotionalidentity of at least one cataloging parameter associated with the datawherein the data comprises at least one image of a non-textual object;wherein the at least one cataloging parameters are defined by an evennumber of primary parameters and a number of secondary parametersgenerated by interpolation from said primary parameters, wherein theprimary parameters include at least one pair of opposite traits; andwherein each one of said primary parameters of each one of said pairs ofopposite traits is placed on said polyhedron in a fundamental positiontermed pole which is geometrically opposite to said correspondingopposite primary trait.
 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein saideven, number of primary parameters is equal to six.
 10. The deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein said six primary parameters are defined bythree pairs of opposite fruits, labeled: “Passionate”,“Reflective”;“Seductive”, Basic”; “Affective”, “Dynamic”.
 11. The device according toclaim 8, wherein said number of secondary parameters is equal to twentyor sixty.
 12. The device according to claim 8, wherein saidvisualization device is a polyhedron with twenty-six or sixty-sixvertices.
 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein said polyhedroncomprises at least one rotation axis.
 14. The device according to claim13, wherein said polyhedron comprises a plurality of superimposedthematic layers each layer being identified with a different catalogingclass.